Santa Clara, CA Gambling & Gaming: Card Room Licensing (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- SCCC Chapter 5.70, Card Rooms
- Status
- Prohibited; no licensing provisions exist
- Reaffirmed
- Nov. 3, 1992 advisory referendum
- Repealed ordinances
- Ord. 603, 1153, 1333, 1525, 1636
- State reference
- Penal Code § 330 (gambling)
- Enforcing agency
- Santa Clara Police Department
- Contrast
- Bingo is licensed under Ch. 5.75
Summary
Card rooms are banned in Santa Clara. City Code Chapter 5.70 (Card Rooms) exists in name only: a reviser's note explains the prohibition was reaffirmed by an advisory referendum on November 3, 1992, when voters directed the City Council to repeal a pending ordinance that would have permitted card rooms. No licensing chapter follows.
Chapter 5.70. CARD ROOMS [1] Code reviser's note: City Code prohibition of card rooms was reaffirmed by an advisory referendum vote at the November 3, 1992, election. At the election, the citizens voted to direct the City Council to repeal a pending City ordinance, which, if adopted, would have permitted card room(s). Prior legislation: Ord. 603 § 1; Ord. 1153 § 1, 11-15-66; Ord. 1333 § 1, 7-27-76; Ord. 1525 § 1, 7-9-85; Ord. 1636 § 1, 6-23-92; former code §§ 22-18 and 22-19. Stat. Ref.: Gambling, Pen. C. § 330.
Full Breakdown
Under California's Gambling Control Act, cities decide for themselves whether to license card rooms, and Santa Clara has chosen not to. 70, titled simply "Card Rooms," contains no operative sections at all: it is a placeholder that carries only a code reviser's note stating that the prohibition on card rooms was reaffirmed by a citywide advisory referendum on November 3, 1992, at which voters directed the City Council to repeal a then-pending ordinance that would have authorized card room operations. The note lists the ordinances that previously touched the subject before repeal, Ordinance 603, Ordinance 1153 (adopted November 15, 1966), Ordinance 1333 (adopted July 27, 1976), Ordinance 1525 (adopted July 9, 1985), and Ordinance 1636 (adopted June 23, 1992), along with the former code sections 22-18 and 22-19 that they once occupied.
The chapter's statutory reference points to California Penal Code § 330, the state's general prohibition on banking and percentage games. 5. Santa Clara made the opposite policy choice for card rooms and has left that choice undisturbed since the 1992 vote; there is no application process, no permit fee, and no City department tasked with reviewing card room proposals because none is authorized to exist.
Violations & Fines
Because Chapter 5.70 authorizes nothing, there is no City permit, fee schedule or inspection process to violate. Anyone operating a card room in Santa Clara instead falls under the state prohibition the chapter cross-references, California Penal Code § 330, a misdemeanor gambling offense enforced by the Santa Clara Police Department, which can also pursue the activity as an unpermitted business use under the City's business license and zoning codes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a card room in Santa Clara?
Why does Santa Clara's code have a Card Rooms chapter with nothing in it?
Does Santa Clara allow any card games for money?
What happens if someone runs an illegal card game in Santa Clara?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clara
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Card Room Licensing in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Santa Clara County handle card room licensing.